The Greeley-Evans School District 6 Nutrition Services and a nonprofit supporting the school system have teamed up to install food pantries at all public and charter schools over the next three years.

The nutrition services department will work with The Success Foundation on the venture — which is an expansion of the Food4Success campaign from 2020.  The cost will be approximately $5,000 for each pantry. The pantries are comprised of a chest freezer, glass door cooler, locking shelving and a rolling cart, according to a news release from the foundation.

The campaign was originally created last year to raise money for accumulated school meal debt. Nearly $160,000 worth of debt was erased through donations.

Nearly 70% of District 6 students qualify for free-and-reduced lunch, which is an indicator of poverty in the district.

There are a variety of issues that occur when children are hungry and do not receive proper nutrition: higher incidence of illness, lower academic performance, and more behavioral problems. The impairment of physical and intellectual development can be a long-term result.

The Success Foundation release says implementing a food pantry at all school sites will help alleviate these issues. Pantries at the middle and high school level can help keep students in school by relieving pressure to provide food for themselves and their families by working part or full-time.

"School food pantries are convenient and provide a readily accessible source of food assistance and food choice to students and their families throughout the school year and during school breaks," according to The Success Foundation release. "Data trends show that when kids have access to healthy meals every day, they feel better, perform better, and have fewer behavioral and health problems."

The school food pantries will complement existing breakfast and lunch programs. School kitchens will be able to contribute food items that are currently going to waste. Students and their families will have access to fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy products, shelf-stable items, grains, and protein items such as frozen meats and poultry.

Other partnerships will be enhanced and/or established to ensure the success and sustainability of the school food pantry program including expanding work with the Weld Food Bank. District 6 Nutrition Services and Wellness will also partner to provide healthy recipe ideas, on-site cooking demonstrations, and other resources to promote nutrition and wellness through every school pantry site.

To support the Food4Success Campaign, donate at coloradogives.org/successfoundation or by mailing a check with F4S in the memo line to: The Success Foundation, 1025 9th Ave. Greeley, 80631.